Fact Sheet #1 About Aerodrome

Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) has prepared Features a draft Master Plan for Caloundra Aerodrome, • Located on a 145-hectare site which provides guidelines for the • Two sealed runways - runway 05/23 and runway 12/30 development of the aerodrome over the next • Maintenance hangars 20 years. This fact sheet is part of a series providing information to the community • Aviation businesses about the aerodrome and planning into the • Air Museum future. The draft Master Plan will be available • Pilot activated lighting for community comment from Tuesday 16 October to Monday 26 November 2012. Function Caloundra Aerodrome primarily caters for the needs of light Establishment aircraft operations in the Sunshine Coast region. Operations at Caloundra are confined to helicopters and fixed wing aircraft Caloundra Aerodrome is owned by the SCC and was capable of operating off the existing runway infrastructure. established as an aircraft landing ground in 1931. Since These aircraft are generally single engine or small twin-engine then, the site has been upgraded to support general aviation aircraft. Flight training, particularly training for helicopters, is a activity with around 40,000 movements of smaller aircraft and significant component of the Caloundra air traffic. helicopters each year. The aerodrome is a vital cog in the Location general aviation network and will play an important role in The Caloundra Aerodrome is southwest of Caloundra’s contributing to tourism, creating jobs and supporting economic traditional central business area, just off Caloundra Road. development for the Sunshine Coast. It is forecast that by 2030 the number of aircraft movements at Caloundra will increase It is located 22 kilometres south of . from 40,000 per annum to 84,000 per annum.

(Above) Location and extent of Caloundra Aerodrome site Aerodrome Users Since 1978, aviation-related companies including maintenance, About Queensland charter/training and fuel companies have been granted leases to construct aircraft hangars and offices along the edge of Air Museum the runway. Established in 1973, the Queensland Air There are currently 12 commercial leaseholders and 20 Museum moved to Caloundra Aerodrome businesses operating that provide: in June 1986. The collection included a • General aviation services Canberra bomber, a Meteor WD647 and • Aircraft training two Sea Venoms that were housed in a • Aircraft maintenance hangar within the Aerodrome precinct. As the collection grew a second, much larger • Joy flights display hangar was built and officially opened • Rescue services in July 2004. Queensland Air Museum is a • Air training for cadets. volunteer organisation and membership is open to anyone with an interest in aviation. Aerodrome Development The Queensland Air Museum collection is In 1984 and 1985 the aerodrome received major upgrades including sealing of both runways and the apron. In 1986, held in trust for the community. Around 12,000 pilot-activated lighting was fully installed on the 05/23 people visit the Museum each year. For more (orientated approximately north/south) runway. Pavements information visit www.qam.com.au. were further upgraded and resealed in 1990 and 1993.

Planning for the future The Queensland Government’s 2006 South East Queensland Regional Plan noted a proposed relocation of Caloundra Aerodrome to provide for the site to be redeveloped as a new urban centre for Caloundra. Between 2006 and 2010 the SCC and Queensland Government continued discussions around this possibility. However, in 2010 both the State Government and Council confirmed Caloundra Aerodrome would remain on its current site for the foreseeable future. With the future of the Caloundra Aerodrome secure, SCC has prepared a draft Master Plan to guide the future development and operation of Caloundra Aerodrome and to create a vibrant aviation industry, business and employment hub for the Sunshine Coast. For more information on the draft Master Plan, go to the Caloundra Aerodrome draft Master Plan page at www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au (Have Your Say section).

Contact Us You can speak to the project team or find out more information about the draft Master Plan by contacting us through one of the channels below: Phone: 1800 998 398 (freecall) Email: [email protected] Website: www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au - See the Have your Say section Reply Paid Sunshine Coast Council Post: Caloundra Aerodrome Master Plan Reply Paid 84374 Sunshine Coast MC Qld 4560